Dog Park proposed

Tuesday

Feb 19, 2013 at 11:32 AMFeb 19, 2013 at 11:42 AM

Lois Westermeyer

A group of dog lovers has formed a committee and presented the Pontiac City Council with a proposal for a dog park at the Rec-Plex south of town.While many council members seemed in favor of the concept, almost all voiced concern about the cost of the project, especially with a tight budget the city is expecting this year.Dona Hurt, speaking for the group, said she anticipates the project would cost about $25,000, mainly for fencing and gates, but said with the council’s approval of land, the committee would begin looking into grants, fundraising and other donations.Hurt said the committee members bonded as dog lovers and they have been discussing the need for a dog park locally for several months.She gave a PowerPoint presentation covering the need and benefits of establishing a dog park for local residents and tourists alike.“Currently, there is no where in Pontiac where people can take their dogs off leash. Pets become a member of your family. Dog owners would love the opportunity to go out and play with their pets in an open area. Others who can’t have pets for certain reasons can go to a place and enjoy watching dogs play.”She noted there are currently 3,419 registered dogs in Livingston County, but was not able to provide a breakdown of how many were in Pontiac.“This would also be a new amenity for Pontiac and the tourists who travel with pets. I don’t know if you realize, but many of the motels here allow pets now,” she added.Hurt said she and other members of the group, Kari Bigger, Gail Songdahl, Barry Songdahl, Beth Draper, Brian Miller and Paula Warren, have been meeting for a couple of months and have been consulting with Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Hayner.“We looked at several locations, including Westview Park, the city dump area and at the Rec-Plex and in the end, we felt the Rec-Plex would be the most suitable site,” Hurt said. “There is a large area of land, it’s accessible, there’s parking space, it doesn’t flood and it’s not in a residential area.”The group is asking for the city to set aside an acre or so for the park, which would be located at the front left of the complex, well away from the ball fields. The old airport circular pad would be used for parking.Preliminary plans include a large fenced area, split into two smaller areas, one for big dogs and one for smaller dogs. The bigger dog area would require 5-foot fencing, while 4-foot fencing would be needed for the smaller dog area. Both enclosures would have separate, double-gated access areas.Showing a picture of her 50-pound labradoodle “Libby,” Hurt said dogs weighing 30 pounds or more would go into the big dog area.Plans also call for waste stations, containers where bagged dog waste could be deposited, running water, benches, signage posting rules of the park and landscaping around the area.“There used to be water service out at the airport,” Hayner said. “It would be a matter of finding that service and what kind of shape it’s in, but I think this would be a good spot.”Hurt showed pictures of other dog parks in the area, including Pekin and two in Normal.Council member Scot Schickel said after hearing of this plan, he talked to the city of Normal to see how their parks operate.“Normal has a much bigger population of both people and dogs, but they have hardly any problems at the park. Users keep an eye on things. Normal said they maybe get calls two or three times a summer. I think that bodes well for Pontiac.”Schickel and councilman Brian Gabor both said they have taken their pets to area dog parks and would value one being located in town.Council members Mason Hall and Bill Kallas also stated it would be a nice addition, but they were concerned with costs of building a park, maintenance and liability.“We have pot holes on some streets, so I don’t think we can just be giving funds out,” said Kallas.Hayner explained that the dog park would be like any city park, maintained by city employees.Hurt added that the committee might set up volunteers to also help with maintenance and keeping up the appearance.“These types of parks have been growing in popularity the last few years, and several area communities are adding them,” Hayner added.Council members agreed city staff could look into procuring grants for the park, since the committee has not set up a formal 501c charitable account. Karls said the city would also investigate liability issues.Hurt said she was happy with the council’s response and would also be contacting local organizations for possible donations and that anyone wishing to donate to the dog park may call her at 815-822-8054.